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In December 2018, a consortium consisting of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Dialogic, and various independent experts was selected by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission to conduct a pilot project in the field of essentiality checks of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs).
More and more everyday devices rely on technical standards, such as many wireless standards. Many of these standards include patented technology, and any party wishing to implement a standard must apply for a license for the corresponding SEPs. Although over 250,000 patents have been declared by the owner to potentially be essential for one or more technical standards, it is often very difficult for stakeholders to determine which patents are actually required. This pilot study explores ways to analyze the essentiality of SEPs on a larger scale, creating more transparency in the market and enabling a smoother process for negotiating licenses for such patents. The project's outcome is important for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as large companies.
Want to know more? Contact Rudi Bekkers.